Fouling Cranks - can this be minimized??

[Peanut]

Well, just got back from a little fishing outing - had a great time, fishing was good.

The one disappointment was my inability to use cranks with much effectiveness. Live bait rigs and leeches outfished cranks 100% to 0.

Now to be fair, cranks got only limited water time, but that's because they were almost impossible to run for more than 10 seconds without them getting fouled by weeds, especially Reef Runners. I swear that if there was a weed within 20 feet of the lure, it ran straight for it.

I'm new to the whole crank fishing thing. Is this normal? Or, are they best put to use in suspended situations, or with clean rocky bottoms.

Thanks for your advice,

derrek.

"It's the weaseling out of things that sets us apart from the animals.... Except the weasel."
- H.J. Simpson

[Todd_NE]

A small split shot pinched 5' or so up the line catches some of the debris that comes down towards the lure.

Todd
Yup, got her... feel that head shake!

[perchjerker]

What we have found that works pretty good is a OR16 release without the split ring, clipped well ahead of the bait, like 40-50ft. It really helped with the bigger weeds and didnt impede the action of the lure.

[Toolman]

Peanut,

We used to run cranks in Canada with pretty good sucess. Todd and PJ's tips will help prevent fouling from floating weeds. The technique that worked best for me was to run a crank over the top of the weeds only occasionally ticking the tops (but trying not to). Pull these on Fireline and if it fouls rip it foward. With the low-strech line most weeds will pull right off. Rapala floaters 11's and 13's, Rebel minnows, and shallow Bomber Long A's (any shallow diving lure that floats at rest) work well. If there are lots of detached, floating weeds, it might be futile to troll those areas.

Tim

[Peanut]

Thanks for your help, guys. I'm not throwing in the towel yet.

derrek.

"It's the weaseling out of things that sets us apart from the animals.... Except the weasel."
- H.J. Simpson

[Erie]

"If there are lots of detached, floating weeds, it might be futile to troll those areas"

Tim .. when we have post storm pads, sticks, weeds & junk on the surface along with cottonwood when in season ~ I usually pull PBs rather than Flatlines .. I've noticed that the stops/collectors on F-lines collect the krap, but at a cost by losing depth control rendering the lure useless for me. PBs shed the surface krap well along with keeping the lure clean & effective .. also I can see when the PB arm needs cleaned.

"Just Remember" that the way to communicate with the fish is to drop them a line ;-)

I use a half hitch rubber band or any junk PB release, but I've always run it within 10' of the bait. The 40-50 ft up the line deal makes too much sense, Thanks PJ.

In addition to using PB's for catchers, for flatlines adjusting your rod holders to get the rod tip in the water can make a big difference. I set the drag light & use clicker to help see what's going on with the bait. I don't like it but it works.

I've read that using 3-ways with stick baits is a good approach to stay just over the weed tops in some situations but I have not tried it. I think the 3-way is supposed to work as collector/deflector for weed tops.

When it's just not fun anymore, I'll find a new spot.

Good Luck,
jc

If you decide to try spoons such as KB spoons this might help:

http://my.inil.com/~kencryo/

Take it to full size and scroll the menu on the left side. There is a How To called Making Weed Resistent Treble Hooks.

jc

KB's are tough to find in some areas, but they are a good flatline spoon for eyes. Same Co as KO wobblers & Doctor's I think.